Truett headed for Mobile

Friday, December 28, 2007
By JR. WITTNER The Mississippi Press

Sophomore third baseman Desiree Truett was a big part of the success last year for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College softball team.



Truett hit .436 for the season, including batting over .500 in the NJCAA national tournament last spring, in her first year with the team after helping lead East Central to three state titles.

After Truett tries to help her team improve on last year's third place finish in the national tournament, she will take her talents to the University of Mobile. Truett signed a scholarship with the Lady Rams Wednesday night to continue her college softball career.

"I want to play for a winner," Truett said. "Mobile has a history of winning and I want to be a part of that."

Mobile finished last season with a Gulf South Conference championship, a region championship and an appearance in the national NAIA national tournament.

"Desiree is bringing a lot of confidence to us, and someone who is capable of doing anything we ask her to," University of Mobile coach Terri McCormick said. "She fits well with everything we are trying to do here.

"She can play any position you ask of her, but we feel like she will help us best at catcher. Someone who swings the bat the way she does, you find a place for her to play."

Gulf Coast head coach Kenneth Long, whose team finished 44-4 last season, echoes those remarks.

"Desiree is just a pure hitter," Long said. "She can catch, play third and just about anywhere else.
"She hits for power, drives in runs and she's a good base runner. She's everything a coach could want."

Truett said the deciding factor in choice of school was not only about winning, but about being comfortable.

"I knew when I came to junior college I would have this opportunity," Truett said. "Everyone at the school seems nice and I knew right away it would be a good fit for me.

"I'm glad to get this part out of the way so I can focus on my team this year and us winning a national championship."